Parrot Care

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

Compiled by John Hayward of the National Theft Register

We feel that to have this site specialising in CITES matters will be of great help to all bird-keepers, especially those who breed parrots as there are certain restrictions and regulations when it comes to the 'trading' of such endangered species.

CITES is an acronym of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It also relates to our captive-bred Parrots at various levels and other animals considered to be in danger of extinction in the wild. CITES came into being in 1973 to prevent the over-exploitation of certain wildlife species whose numbers could be adversely affected by international trade.

There are now over 160 Countries worldwide who are signatory partners to the Convention, each having a management authority relating to the issuing of licences and permits which for the UK is Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). In the USA the authority is US Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS).

Classifications

The classifications are divided into two main sections. Appendix 1 and Appendix 2. Appendix 1 birds are those that are in potential danger of extinction. Appendix 2 relates to the remaining Psittacine species, all of which are in need of some protection to maintain populations where a potential danger of extinction could be a threat.

In Europe, the European Union has decided that the classifications need to be extended so we have Appendix 1-Annex A and Appendix 2-Annex B. For All other countries worldwide, only the term Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 are used.

All Parrots including cockatoos and macaws are subject to the regulations and are either placed on Appendix 1-Annex A or Appendix 2-Annex B. The most endangered species are on Annex A and all the others on Annex B. For those birds listed on Annex A, a specimen specific certificate is required from DEFRA or whenever they are traded. 'Trade' comprises of selling, advertising for sale, transporting for sale, offering for sale, displaying for commercial purposes and the sale of any offspring. In these cases you need a licence to sell the young and licences for the parent birds even though they are not themselves for sale. Annex A birds require either a closed identifiable ring or microchip prior to the application for the licence.

The Regulations not only cover the live bird but also the dead specimen, its parts and derivatives. To answer another regular query, a hybrid bird such as the 'Catalina Macaw' ( Blue and Yellow x Scarlet) if offered for sale requires the same licence due to the fact that the Scarlet is itself an Annex A listed bird. The anomaly however is that one can give an Annex A bird away as a gift and a licence is not required as it is not being 'traded'. However, should it subsequently be used for commercial breeding purposes, a licence must be applied for.

The Convention meets every two years to consider the classification of those species that require extra protection from endangerment such as the recently added Amazons. This is therefore an ever-changing scenario, so with the facility of this site, we now hope to keep all of our parrot owners fully up to date with any new developments both regarding the listings and the regulations.

John Hayward is the Co-ordinator of the National Theft Register previously a Detective Inspector/Wildlife Liaison Officer trained in such matters by the CITES Secretariat, Geneva.

For any further information in the UK call DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) on 0117 372 8749 between 9am and 5pm: